Impact of Religion, Faith, or the Dominant Ethical System on Politics Essay - 1

Impact of Religion, Faith, or the Dominant Ethical System on Politics - Essay Example Statistics of the breakdown in religious affiliations of the faithful in the Philippines reveal that â€Å"the main religious group in the Philippines is Roman Catholics who account for 83% of the population. Other religions include Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%.† (NationMaster, 1) In view of the predominance of Roman Catholics in the Philippines, the majority’s religious beliefs have a strong effect on the view towards politics and the existing governmental structure. The long history of colonization from Spain brought great changes in the political, economic and cultural life of the Filipinos. Christianity was introduced to replace the old religion based on spirit worship and a centralized government was established over the ruins of the barangays. (Leuterio, 223) Dolan proffered that â€Å"with the advent of United States control, the Catholic Church relinquished its great estates. Church and state officially were separated, although the church, counting more than 80 percent of the population as members, continued to have influence when it wanted to exert it.† (Dolan, Church-State Relations, 1) Further, Dolan clearly distinguished Catholics falling into three groups: â€Å"conservatives who were suspicious of social action and held that Christian love could best be expressed through existing structures; moderates, probably the largest group, in favor of social action but inclined to cooperate with government programs; and progressives, who did not trust the government programs, were critical both of Philippine business and of American influence.

American History X Essay Example for Free

American History X Essay American History X is a film that centered on two brothers and how their lives changed when their father died. The story revolved around discrimination and racism. But most importantly, the movie emphasized the capability of an individual to change. The main character, Derek Vinyard, transformed into a racist when his father died â€Å"in the line of duty by a minority† and when he killed two black men who tried to rob him. Before he entered prison, Derek had already a preconceived notion that Blacks were menace to the society and that the Whites were the superior race. However, inside the penal complex, he found out that â€Å"there is good and bad in every race. † So to prevent his younger brother, Danny, from committing the same mistakes, Derek encouraged him to be open-minded and disregard all the things that were inculcated to him when they were members of the Neo-Nazi group (IMDb). This movie was able to show three sociological concepts namely: differential association, racism and social inequality. Differential association is a learning theory which focused on the processes by which individuals come to commit criminal acts (Hamlin). In the film, this was shown when Derek joined the neo-Nazi group; he started to adapt a more delinquent lifestyle like thrashing the local grocery store. Meanwhile, racism is defined as the idea that race sets the difference in the personality or competency of an individual which results to some race being better than the others (Eckert). This concept was portrayed when Seth and Danny were having a conversation. Seth asked Danny who he hated and Danny replied, â€Å"I hate anyone that isnt white Protestant. Theyre a burden to the advancement of the white race† (Kaye). Lastly would be social inequality which refers to the â€Å"ways in which socially-defined categories of persons (according to characteristics such as gender, age, ‘class’ and ethnicity) are differentially positioned with regard to access to a variety of social ‘goods’ like education† (Centre for East European Language-Based Area Studies). In the movie, this was represented when two Black guys were trying to steal Derek’s truck. This shows how some races are well off than the others because they have better jobs, houses and benefits. I think American History X is an eye-opening film about the presence of discrimination, prejudice and hatred in the society due to difference in race. More so, the movie tried to relay the message that delinquency is learned and it can be unlearned if an individual is put in a better environment. When Derek went to prison, he realized that race was not a major issue that separated one individual from another; it was more on how a person presented himself/herself to a group. In the end, it would always be every man for himself in this dog eat dog world. Works Cited â€Å"American History X. † 2009. IMDb. 28 May 2009 http://www.imdb. com/title/tt0120586/plotsummary American History X. Dir. Tony Kaye. New Line Cinema, 1999. â€Å"New Dimensions of Social Inequality? † n. d. Centre for East European Language-Based Area Studies. 28 May 2009 http://www. ceelbas. ac. uk/research/socialinequality Eckert, Susan. â€Å"What is Racism, Prejudice, Discrimination, Bias, and Xenophobia? 7 December 2007. Suite101. com. 28 May 2009 http://racism. suite101. com/article. cfm/definition_of_racism_other_terms Hamlin, John. â€Å"Differential Association Theory. † March 2006. University of Minnesota Duluth. 28 May 2009 http://www. d. umn. edu/~jhamlin1/sutherland. html

Artistic Voice Essays -- Essays Papers

Artistic Voice Authors have a distinct identity that you recognize when you read their work of art. The qualities and aspects of a text that give an author a distinct identity as an artist are known as their artistic voice. Denise Levertov and Anne Sexton both use different themes in their poetry that separate them from other poets. Denise Levertov writes about the unknown and the unsaid in life. Anne Sexton distinguishes herself by writing about her family, loves, and her emotional tragedies. Sandra Cisneros wrote a novel called The House on Mango Street that contained a different setup than most novels. It was written in fragments and the language was straightforward. Cisneros focuses on the importance of freethinking and home. Brian Friel, an author who focuses on Irish issues and concerns, wrote a play, "Dancing at Lughnasa." Denise Levertov chose to write about things that were not readily seen by others. She wrote her poems in free verse and she paced her writing to lead to a climax that contrasted the intensity of her poems. Her artistic voice can be examined in her poem The Ache of Marriage. The ache of marriage: thigh and tongue, beloved, are heavy with it it throbs in the teeth We look for communion and are turned away, beloved, each and each It is leviathan and we in its belly looking for joy, some joy not to be known outside it two by two in the ark of the ache of it. When people think of marriage they think of a wonderful life complete with the white picket fence and kids playing on the lawn. Levertov, in this poem, talks about how marriage is not glorious all the time. In the first stanza she is talking about the physical aspect of marria... ...e one another. At the end of the play, Michael says, "†¦Father Jack was dead within twelve months. And with him and Agnes and Rose all gone, the heart seemed to go out of the house." (70) One of the family's main concern was to lose each other, but they proved themselves to be strong. After they lost three of their family members, they worked even harder to make ends meet. They did not give up; they stayed strong for one another. An author's artistic voice is important because it helps distinguish an author apart from the mainstream of things. Levertov and Sexton focus on different aspects in life to give them a distinct identity. Cisneros uses a different format in her writing in her novel and Friel focuses on Irish culture to distinguish their artistic voice. After reading these works of art, it is clear what point the artist is trying to convey.

An eye opener from an article about the black holocaust Essay

Reading Journal Week 2 Alt. Black Holocaust When Dr. Lewis mentioned this alternative reading to do, and warned us that it is very depressing, and basically told us to only read if we desire as much, I kind of took that as a challenge. Being competitive in nature, I always try to step above what people think I can handle. This article of the black holocaust, I will admit made me sort of regret that. I found tears coming out. There were many times I shook my head just thinking, â€Å"talk about the cruelness of humanity†! Those slaves skin may be black but the souls of those white men were much darker. One thing I found absolutely atrocious was the belief that black men had no soul. They would rape there men and women, and while that was morally unacceptable to act towards their fellow white men, it was completely acceptable to rape a black person because they had no soul anyway. If you raped a white woman, you could see the despair in there soul yet when you rape a black woman, all you see is a screaming black woman. To add to that, the fellow white crew of the ship blamed the Africans for the lustful behavior due to their nudity which they forced them to do. They claimed that they have rarely if at all, seen a naked white woman so they blamed the Africans because they saw plenty of them. Another thing that was absolutely sad and devastating was how they forced the blacks to rest. They had a choice to either lay down with less space above them than a person in a coffin or sit on the higher ends which had splinters and blood everywhere. It kind of reminded me of Jesus who supposedly died on the cross and while he was hung there was a nail at his feet he could stand on to relieve the pressure from his arms, but in price had to gravely hurt his feet. For these kinds of actions, I couldn’t blame those Africans for trying to jump ship and let the sharks eat them because what they were dealing with seemed like a fate worse than death. I would’ve attempted the same thing. I understand at this time, morals were different and it was acceptable to treat black skins the way they did, but with my way of thinking now, this was just painful to read. I would’ve had a much easier time reading the other stories but at the same time, I am glad I read this because it really hits me now how badly we treated our slaves in our early days. I read something close to this once called â€Å"The Narrative of Frederick Douglass†. I will definitely add this excerpt to my list of readings that have influenced my feelings on the cruelty of racism and slavery.

Online Shopping Versus in Store

If a person decides to make the purchases of an item online there are a few facts that should be realized. In the economy that today's society is in savings is a big deal for most. When shopping online the shopper will be required to purchase their items with credit cards. Credit cards can be very convenient a shopper however, they come with payments and interest. When calculated out a shopper can look at 10 percent on purchases made. Knowing this and how long it can take to pay debt off may make a person think twice about the purchases that are made.On average 5,000 dollars will take 10 years to payoff. Once the shopper has ordered the Items shipping will be estimated. One transaction online can cost a person an extra 10 Lars In shipping, followed by at least 10 dollars In a small purchase for Interest on the credit card. The shopper also has the choice to go Into the stores to make the purchases needed. These purchases can be made with a variety of payments including cash, gift car ds as well as credit cards. Most people know how much they are willing to spend on an item and very seldom want to spend more.If a going into a store with cash you are ensured you will not spend more, or incur any hidden fees. When paying with cash it can be asked if a discount is available, a person would be pleasantly surprised at the savings offered. In store shopping offers other means of savings as well, coupons are a big tool that stores supply to have the public come into their establishments. Now if a company like Kohl's for Instance offers additional savings If a credit card Is used, once again the shopper Is saving usually an additional 15 percent.The trick to shopping In stores with credit cards Is to turn around and make the payment right there Is In the store. This would require that the customer had the intention of paying with cash to save money, and in the end this would save a customer even more than thought of in the beginning. More thought should go into why one w ould choose not to shop online versus shopping in the store. Today the country is seeing a lack in jobs, and people needing work. For every purchase a person makes online it is taking more jobs away.Shopping online one does not need a sales clerk, cashier, janitor, supervisor, and manager to make the purchases. All one needs is to have access to the Internet, and fingers. Placing orders online also can take away from local vendors, not Just corporations. If online most likely you will be ordering from companies that purchase teems from overseas, yet again taking money away from the American economy. Now if shopping for electronics Is what a person Is doing corporate shopping will be needed; however, doing It online takes more Jobs away.When thinking about making a purchase for a television most would only think tout want ten Test price Is Tanat can De Taunt. IT ten economy were outing tout a few things would cross the mind of an individual. One big item is if the store wasn't open i t would be an empty building, owner looses money, electric company looses money, and the people that would normally work there are trying to find a Job amongst all the other Americans. Going out shopping in person can offer a great deal of benefits too community. This allows the shopper to purchase locally grown and locally made items.When thinking that corporate gifts are needed for Christmas or birthdays' people can think out of the box and get creative. How many people would want to receive a massage, car wash, oil change? These are all options for in store shopping, thus keeping money in the local economy. Shopping online can also bring up a few worries will the item fit will it match, or will it live up to expectations of the purchaser? When ordering clothing online a errors does not get to try on the clothes, this leaves one hoping it is going to fit correctly and the way it was expected to fit.If a person decides that the bathroom needs to be redecorated and spends four hundr ed dollars online doing this, gets the items in the mail to be upset that it does not match as well to the tile. Problems like this can occur at anytime when the items are not seen in person. In order for a one to be sure that what is wanted is what one gets it is best to use the senses in making the purchase. To use senses in making a purchase being present is required. This would even go for purchasing a television, seeing the efferent screens on will help a shopper to decide which one would be best.If wanting to purchase a new dress trying it on will show rather the look is what is wanted or not. The same theory applies to making purchases for a home, the items can be brought in and placed where it is wanted and then decided upon if it should stay or go back to the store for a replacement. Questions can now be asked knowing the differences on the two forms when deciding which form is best for the shopper. When deciding to make a purchase each person will need to decide what matte rs most, convenience or helping to boost he economy, and staying local with each purchase.